The G20 Summit in Delhi took place earlier this month, it is still making headlines for a number of reasons. The Summit and its location attracted a lot of people for a lot of different reasons, but the Nataraja statue sitting in the middle of it all added a special something.
Even though the G20 Summit in Delhi took place earlier this month, it is still making headlines for a number of reasons. The Summit and its location attracted a lot of people for a lot of different reasons, but the Nataraja statue sitting in the middle of it all added a special something.
Nataraja monument that towers over the rest
Srikanda Sthapathy, 61, fashioned the figure out of ashtadhatu, an eight-metal alloy. According to The Indian Express, it was transported across the country on a 36-wheel trailer. Sthapathy meticulously researched Lord Shiva's cosmic dance to gain inspiration for the monument. The statue of Nataraja stands at a record-breaking height.
It was modeled by statues of Nataraja in the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, the Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram, and the Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple in Thanjavur.
This statue's production cost about Rs 10 crore.
"Lost wax" technique
According to an interview Sthapathy gave to The Indian Express, the lost wax casting technique dates back to the Chola dynasty. The statue's creators may be traced back 34 generations to the Chola dynasty.
At the very least, this approach goes back 6,000 years. A copper amulet from Mehrgarh, Balochistan, dated to around 4,000 BC, was created using this technique. This method was also used to create the Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro.
First, a detailed wax model is crafted, and then the model is covered with a paste made from alluvial dirt from the Cauvery river bank, as part of the lost wax technique. After the model has been coated numerous times with this mixture and allowed to dry, it is subjected to high temperatures, which melt the wax and leave behind a hollow, finely carved mold. At end, the sculpture is made by pouring molten metal into it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier this month that the Nataraja monument in Bharat Madapam brings to life aspects of our rich history and culture on X, formerly Twitter. "As the world gathers for the G20 summit, it will stand as a testament to India's age-old artistry and traditions," he said.
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